GreenEyedMamma

Thanks Susan! I grew up in Washington (Marysville) and went to UW. I moved to California four years ago but I'll always be a Seattle Girl (even if I don't do my daily Starbucks run anymore). GO HUSKIES!!

Thanks! My friends and fam say the same thing. Definately MUCH happier these day.

Yep, agree with Foxbins. I have the same issue. Some days are better than others. Not a lot of input = not a lot of output.

I was just as paranoid in my first week too. I had to learn to get over that because your stomach will tell you when you have had enough. Just six weeks post-op I had to travel for work and was on the road for three weeks (one trip was two weeks, came home for a few days and had to leave for another week). I felt so lost because I was out of my element, had to eat in restaurants, and didn't have all of the tools I had a home. Needless to say I was a freakin mess. I had to pay close attention to my body when I ate so I knew when to stop. I always ate my Protein first (still do) and made sure to drink a ready-made shake at least once a day. I track everything I eat on both fatsecret.com and myfitnesspal.com. Those really helped to make sure I was getting enough protein. When I got home from the first trip, there was no warm and fuzzy homecoming. I ran straight to the bathroom, stipped off all my clothes and stepped on the scale. I had lost 7 pounds in those two weeks. I had stressed over nothing. From that point forward I knew I would be fine. I am four and a half months post-op and can still only consume what I was consuming at 1 month post-op (1/2 to 3/4 cup). Follow (and stick) to your plan and you will be golden.

I have been VERY open about my surgery as well. I have a co-worker who had the Lap-Band and she kept it very quiet. I think she is a bit jealous of the support I have been getting because I have been so open about it. I also keep a blog and I share it with anyone who asks about my progress. It has been an AMAZING ride and I am lovin' every single minute of it. Congrats on your progress. It sounds like you have everything you need to have a successful journey.

My incisions were not as high as others and I was able to wear a bra with no problem. I have pretty big boobs so it felt more comfortable to wear one around the house than to not wear one.

Great story. Congrats on your success. It is an AMAZING journey to be on isn't it? I am lovin every minute of it.

It's an AMAZING ride isn't it? Congrats!!!

Where are you located? I am in Bakersfield.

I was told just to take a multi-Vitamin (like any healthy person should take) and calcium. I don't have to take B12 because I don't have a deficiency. You will have (or should have) a vitamin panel done to see if you are lacking any vitamin. If you are, then your doctor will recommend you take what you are lacking. I take two chewable Flintstone complete Vitamins and a calcium chew every day. If you think about it, everyone should take a multi-vitamin every day. Like others have said though, if you are eating the right foods, you will get a majority of your vitamins from food. My Fitness Pal keeps track of the vitamins if your food if you track your daily intake. It's simple and FREE.

I had to travel for work outside the country just 6 weeks after my surgery and was on the road for three weeks. I had two pair of jeans with me from before surgery and one of them I was bound and determined to NEVER see again so on my last day of my trip I stuffed them in the garbage can at the hotel, stomped on them (with an attitude) and sang "nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goo-ood-bye" and I left my pants in the capital of Canada. I took the other pair home and now they are now hiding in the back of the closet where those clothes that I kept for "one day I'll get back into these" used to reside. I also have a blog and I enjoy going back and reading my posts from when I first started my journey. It helps keep me in perspective. I also take periodical photos standing in the same spot and same position so I can compare my progress.

Third week stall is VERY typical. Your body is adjusting to your sleeve and reduced caloric intake. I hit my slow down at that point too and it lasted almost two weeks. I have been at a steady 2-3 pounds a week since then though. Some weeks more, some weeks less. Don't fret over it. It will come off. Drink TONS of water throughout the day (try to drink at least 80 ounces a day if you can). I take in between 96-120. Your body will love you for it.

Mine started to shed a few weeks ago and it is typical after any surgery. I lost way more after my knee surgery a few years ago and it shed for what seems like forever (at least six months). I had much longer hair then (down to my waist) but I cut it all off last year. I do use a protein filler for my hair and it really helps with breakage. A few times a week, I spray it in my hair at night after I wash it (I spray enough in my already damp hair until it drips), massage it into the scalp, and let it air dry. You can pick up protein filler (and I think it is called just that) at Sally Beauty Supply. Hair dressers add it to hair dye to prevent breakage from the chemicals. It will not prevent your hair from falling but mine has slowed down dramatically since I started using it and like I said, it has only been a few weeks.

Thanks. Funny how much more shine I have since surgery. All the Water and Biotin must really be working.

That's funny that you mentioned that because I was doing that in the beginning with gallons of milk. Each gallon weighs 8 pounds. I have lost nearly 9 gallons already. It's fricken amazing!!!

I know some people who wear them to help reduce the amount of excess skin while they are losing.

Thanks everyone! This has been (and continues to be) the BEST journey I have ever been on. I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Great job! What a difference eh? Keep up the good work.

Thanks for posting this. I had experienced this quite early in my journey but to see the pictures is amazing. In the beginning of my journey, my scale said I had only lost 7 pounds in three weeks but the truth was I had lost 16 pounds of body fat and gained 9 pounds of muscle. My doctor has this amazing scale that tells you all this fabulous stuff and gives you a printout to compare your readings throughout your "transformation". I still step on my scale every morning but I don't let it bother me if nothing changes for a few days.

I fluctuated too so I have a bunch of clothes from like five/six years ago that I always said "one day I'll get back into these". Well, that "one day" is now. I am to the point now where I have to take my clothes in with my sewing machine. I refuse to buy a bunch of new things when I know they aren't going to fit me in a few months anyway. I did purchase a few pairs of jean capris to get me through summer. I bought them a little too snug so I can wear them until September. Good job on your progress. Keep it up!!!

Good Job. You look FABULOUS!!!!

I set my own goal of 175. It is still considered high according to the BMI chart (*cough**that crappy little evil chart**cough, cough) but I know where I felt comfortable from my past. I may adjust it as I get closer to my goal weight but for now, that is where it is. You are doing AWESOME. Keep up the good work.

Make sure you have a good Protein shake in there. I used GNC's Optimum Nutrition's Double chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream flavors. I also had V8 juice, sugar-free pudding and sugar-free popsicles in addition to sugar-free Jello. I too drank chicken broth (low sodium) and drank a ton of Crystal Light. Warning - The first three days are ROUGH but something happens on day's 4 and 5 and things look up from there. Good luck to you and your journey. It is an AMAZING ride.

A 3 ounce can of solid white albacore tuna from Starkist (available in a three-pack) packs a whopping 20 grams of Protein. I mix mine with 1 tablespoon of low-fat mayo. I ate this (very slowly) during my mushy stage (I eat it now too when I need a little protein kick).